Flowers and the Heartfelt Creations Design Team Alumni Blog Hop

Hello Again!
It is the end of the month already and time for another Alumni Blog Hop with Heartfelt Creations.  You have until Friday, January 31 at MN(EST) to complete the hop.  Comment on each of the bloggers posts and you will have a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Heartfelt Creations.  The more blogs you visit and leave a comment on, the greater your chances of winning!

I have been enjoying creating collage style cards lately; these asters seemed the perfect flower to use for this elegant corner collage.  I started by inking up the Large Elegant Word Background stamp with Crumb Cake ink, stamped off once and then stamped the image in an offset fashion on my white cs.  Next, I embossed the left lower corner of the white cs- right over the stamped word background-using Spellbinders Exquisite Circles Dies.  I finished the background by stamping a lace image from the All Seasons Gazebo Stamp Set in Always Artichoke along the left side. 
The flowers were die cut in Pink Pirouette; the two smaller ones were sponged with Blushing Bride ink; they were then assembled, shaped and sponged with silver 3D Stamp Paint.  Leaves were cut with the Spellbinder Foliage die and the leaf die from the Aster dies. The leaves were sponged with silver 3D paint. 
The collage was assembled, with the lightest flower being popped up on a dimensional. Pearls were added for the flower centers.  A pearl flourish and bling were added.

Here is your list of Alum participants; time to head on over to their blogs and check out all of the gorgeous inspiration!~

Giovana Smith
Cibele Glazer
Amarilys Doria
Candy Slabaugh
Loretta Lock
Deneen Treble
Vicki Dutcher
Emilia van den Heuvel
Lee Ann Barrett
Mary Faus
Glenda Brooks
Alissa Wells
Linda Loew
Linda Payne
Caroline Duncan
Lisa Allen

Thanks so much for stopping by and enjoy the hop!
Blessings~

Lee Ann   :)

Supplies Used-
Stamps-Heartfelt Creations All Seasons Gazebo Precut Stamp Set, Large Elegant Word Background Stamp Set, Classic Message Precut Stamp Set
Paper-SU Blushing Bride, Pink Pirouette, Old Olive and Flourishes white cs
Other- dimensionals, Viva Decor 3D Stamp Paint in Silver, Pearls, Heartfelt Creations Delicate Asters Die, Spellbinders Leaf Dies and Exquisite Circle Dies
Ink- Blushing Bride,  Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, Memento Tuxedo Black

Sweet 'n Sassy Mixed Media Valentine

Hello Friends!
Today I am sharing a mixed media card that I made for my son for Valentine's Day.  Thankfully, he does not read my blog!  :)  Over at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog, the challenge is based on these song lyrics-"This is where the cowboy rides away."  I was not familiar with these lyrics, so did a little Google search to learn a little about the song.  Turns out it is about a cowboy riding away from a failed romance.  Well, these lyrics are really appropriate for my son.  No, he has not walked away from a romance, but he has finally turned his life around and walked away from poor choices and a dead end life.  He is back in college and making some great decisions.  And  we finally have a wonderful relationship again, so making him a Valentine card was high on my priority list this year. 

Yes, this card clearly has a grunge look, but that was intentional, since it is for a young adult male.  I followed a mixed media tutorial on SCS a couple of weeks back, which can be found here.  I started with an adorable Sweet 'n Sassy image from the new Valentine Critters set.  The image was watercolored with reinkers-I found that I was able to get some good texture on the dog using watercoloring.  He was cut out with a circle die and layered on a Deco Labels Die cut follow by a  Heart die cut that was embossed with a wood grain embossing folder.
For the background, I sponged a piece of cardstock with gesso, then randomly stamped images from the Grunge Elements set and the Music Background image.  Once dry, I painted a thin layer of blue acrylic paint over the entire background.  More gesso was added in spots over the painted layer.  I added texture with a stencil and white bathroom caulking.  This was allowed to dry overnight.  Once dry, I sponged some Walnut Brown Viva 3D Stamp paint over areas of the background. The sentiment was stamped; I added a dp banner and then the image panel.  
If you feel like getting a little messy, mixed media is a great thing to try!

Card will also be entered in  the 613 Avenue Create Anything Goes Challenge this week
and in Shopping Our Stash with the challenge being 'Winter Blues".

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-
Stamps-Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Valentine Critters, Music Background and Grunge Elements
Paper-Stampin' Up Naturals Ivory, Brown Sugar and watercolor paper, Echo Park dp
Ink- Stazon Black
Other- gesso, blue acrylic paint, Viva Decor 3D Stamp Paint, MFT Circle and Fishtail Flag Stax Die-Namics, Stampin' Up Deco Label Dies, dimensionals, white bathroom caulking, aqua painter, SU Brown Sugar, Real Red, and Coastal Cabana reinkers

Using Texture with the Card Concept

Hello and Welcome to another Card Concept Challenge!
For Challenge 2, we are to use texture.  This is one of my favorite things to do, so you will find a variety of texture on my card today.  I am designing in the elegant and classy style~

This is the inspiration photo from Lesley~

Nature, in general inspires me, and I love to add texture when inspired by nature.  I have texture in many forms on this card-dry embossing the kraft panel, heat embossing the kraft and black panels, use of burlap and textured bow (from wrinkling the seam binding), and Crystal Effects on the butterfly body. 

Things that keep this card elegant are the flourished image used on the black and kraft heat embossed panels, a flourished die cut tucked in the bow, the rich colors of the flower and butterfly, the shiny finish from the heat embossing and the Crystal Effects on the butterfly body.  
I hope you can join us at The Card Concept- it is such a fun challenge this week!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  

Lee Ann  :)


Supplies Used-
Stamps-Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Treasured and Leafy Flourishes Background Stamp, Stampin' Up Tiny Tags
Paper- SU Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Flourishes white cs
Ink- Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark, Crushed Curry
Other- Clear embossing powder, burlap, MFT Circle Stax Die-Namics and Fishtail Flag Stax Die-Namics, Prismacolor Pencils, dimensionals, SU Jewelry Tag Punch, seam binding, Crystal Effects, SU Stripes Embossing Folder

Subtle, Embossed, Contrast and a Sketch

Hi Everyone! 
I had an opportunity to craft today as we had yet another snow day.  Unfortunately, I am short on MOJO.  Sometimes when I get an idea in my brain, I cannot let it go, even though it just is not coming together.  Does that ever happen to you?  Well, I am definitely there right now!  But as always, this too shall pass! 

This card is for Dynamic Duos-

Seize the Sketch-

 Casology-

 And Simon Says Stamp- which is asking us to emboss on our project. 

The card went through many changes before I settled on this design.  The Cue Card word, 'Contrast' is what led me to using the black embossed background.  Prior to that, the card was too 'muddy', without enough contrast. 
The background image from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps was stamped in Versamark and embossed with clear embossing powder.  The banners were stamped in Crumb Cake and fussy cut out.  I die cut the butterfly, leaves, and Deco Label pieces and dry embossed the Deco Label die cut with a woodgrain embossing folder.  I used a piece of linen thread for the butterfly body and head and added Stampin' Up Dazzling Details to it for some sparkle.
Lastly,  scoring was added around the card base for interest as was  a wood heart below the sentiment. 

Thanks so much for stoppng by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used- 
Stamps- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Leafy Flourish, Stampin' Up Designer Type and Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper- Basic Black, Crumb Cake, White cs, Pool Party, Pink Pirhouette, and retired dsp
Ink- Crumb Cake, Versamark, Pool Party
Other- Clear ep, Stampin' Up Linen Thread, Wood Heart, Pearls, White Baker's Twine, Dimensionals,, Little Leaves Die, Deco Label Framelits, Butterfly Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack and Dazzling Details

Love, Birthdays and Chicken Soup with the Ribbon Carousel

RCC89-Love, Birthdays and Chicken Soup!

Hi Everybody!  Today the Design Team is sharing more inspiration for the Ribbon Carousel Challenge.  There is still  plenty of time to join in the fun!  RC89 is all about giving love to those celebrating birthdays, feeling under the weather or just because!  So break out those crafting supplies and let's all Pay it Forward to someone we love or or we know could use a little extra love!

I used fun, new Stampin' Up products for my card; I am usually not much of a fan of hearts, but this one I can't get enough of right now.  I stamped the arrow from the Designer Type set in Basic Gray, then made a reverse mask for it and stamped the dots and stripes from the Perfect Pennants Set within the arrows.  Then I stamped the heart in Crisp Cantalope and cut it out with a circle framelit.  The dsp is from the Etcetera series and the Crisp Cantalope Twine is a Sale-A-Bration item.   I used a a sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch-

This month we are giving away a set of spools with your choice of beautiful seam binding, baker's twine or May Arts ribbon. 
 There are only three (3) rules you must follow to be eligible for the prize:

1. You MUST use ribbon, twine, thread, washi tape or anything that comes on a spool on your creation 
2. Your project must be based on the theme of the month. 
3. You must add a NEW project to the INLINKZ HERE and link directly back to your project on your blog or online gallery. (Unfortunately, we've had participants who would have won the challenge, but they didn't do a direct link to their blog and I couldn't find their creation!

Head on over to the blog for more inspiration from the amazing Design Team and link up your project for your chance to win! 

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed week! 

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-

Stamps -Stampin' Up Perfect Pennants, Peachy Keen, Designer Type, Express Yourself

Paper- Whisper White, Naturals Ivory, Etcetera dsp

Ink-Summer Starfruit, Basic Gray, Crisp Cantalope

Other- Doily, Circle Framelits, doily, dimensionals,  small neutral brad (retired), SAB twine

Watercolor Teddy

Hello Everyone!


Given all of the babies that are on the way where I work, I decided to add another baby card to my stash.  I used this darling image from Serendipity Stamps and watercolored him with reinkers.

Serendipity's challenge this month is to use buttons, so I strung several Stampin' Up buttons on some linen thread.

Thanks so much for visiting and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-
Stamps- Serendipity Stamps Teddy Bear, Stampin' Up- Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper- Flourishes white cs, Early Espresso, Blush Blossom, retired dsp
Ink-Stazon Black, Early Espresso; So Saffron reinker, Early Espresso, Soft Suede and Brown Sugar reinkers
Other-SU retired dsp, SU retired buttons, SU linen thread, SU white ribbon, SU Decorative Dots ef, brayer

CAS Play

Hi Everyone and Happy Hump Day! 
I relaxed a bit tonight and did some just-for-fun stamping for a few fun challenges.  I found the sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch to be intriguing-

This is an extremely CAS card for me, but I really had fun designing it.  I chose to not take the sketch literally, but instead worked with the basic components.  I used one of my all time favorite Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps' sets for this card, Across the Miles.
I used the latest Colour Me Color Challenge-LOVE these colors together!

Shopping Our Stash asks us to make a card with a Miss You theme this week.
Simon Says Stamp Monday Blog Challenge is an Anything Goes Challenge. 

Thanks so much for visiting, I really do appreciate it! Have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)
 
Supplies Used-
Stamps- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Across the Miles
Paper- Fourishes White cs
Ink- So Saffron, Basic Black, Smoky Slate, Pink Pirouette

Monarch Butterflies to Die For!

Hello and Welcome to Day 5, our last day of the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

 January New Release Blog Hop!

Today we are featuring new dies to go with the stunning, previously released, Majestic Monarch Stamp Set. 

I stamped my large Monarch in Versamark on Prima dp and embossed it with white embossing powder.  The smaller one is stamped on Perfect Plum cardstock.  Both were die cut out with the new Monarch Dies.

 The white background panel is actually 3 separate panels, each embossed with a different embossing folder.  

The Details~

• Die set includes 6 dies
• Dies range from approximately 3/4" x 1" to approximately 2.25" x 2.75"
• Dies coordinate with the Majestic Monarchs Clear Stamp Set
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Die set - $14.75

Check out some of the fabulous samples made by our talented DT in the thumbnails below.  

Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because we're giving away (5) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 5 blog hops).

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, January 17th. The list of winners will be announced on our website homepage by Monday, January, 20th.

Thanks so much for joining us!

Enjoy the hop!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-

Stamps- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Magnificent Monarchs Stamp Set

Paper- Flourishes white cs, Prima dp

Ink-Versamark

Other- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Monarch Dies, white embossing powder, SU Polka Dot,  and Vintage Wallpaper, and Honeyomb embossing folders, SU doily, Prima bling, Spellbinders Exquisite Circles Dies, SU clear button, SU white Baker's Twine, dimensionals

Pink Elephants

Hello Everyone!

We are out of the deep freeze and the snow is just about all melted.  I think a lot of people are thinking spring right now, myself included!  Today I am thinking about spring showers-baby showers, that is.

I combined a couple of sets here, Zoo Babies and Designer Type.  The elephant was stamped in Blushing Bride and fussy cut out.  She was stamped again in Real Red and just the ear was fussy cut out.  The ear was layered onto some Basic Black cs and narrow black mat was cut around the ear.  The ear is adhered to the elephant with a dimensional.  The banner was stamped on 3 different dsps and all were fussy cut out.
I used the retired Canvas background stamp in Pool Party on Whisper White.  I cut the Deco Label Framelits out of this.  I cut another framelit out in white and embossed it.  All were layered onto the card.
I used this week's sketch at SCS and am entering the card in the Monday Simon Says Stamp Challenge-Anything Goes~

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann :)

Supplies Used-
Stamps- Zoo Babies, Designer Type, Canvas Background Stamp
Paper- Whisper White, Blushing Bride,  Black retired dsp
Ink- Blushing Bride Pool Party, Black, Real Red.
Other- Deco Label Framelits, Polka Dot and Argyle Embossing Folders, Square Punch, Neutral Button, dimensionals, Retired Blushing Bride Button, White and Pool Party Baker's Twine

Icy Layout

Hi Everyone!

Boy, this week is just one post after another! This evening's post is of a scrapbook page-the first in a couple of years.   I started paper crafting about 20 years ago as I started saving memories of my son in scrapbooks.  When I found stamping a couple of years ago, scrapbooking kind of went by the wayside.  I made a quick layout last night of one of my favorite pictures of my son, who is no longer little!
I tried some things that I had not previously done in my scrapbooks, such as using lots of dies and mixed media.  I love how this turned out; I wanted to capture a cold, icy winter scene as the Missouri River was basically one big ice flow at that time.

I used a stencil wih lots of various sized circles on it and painted over it with light blue acrylic paint.  Over that, I lightly applied gesso, using brush strokes in both side to side and up and down motion.  The last layer is of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist and Studio Calico Warm Calico spray ink.
After the mixed media, I added a reverse scalloped strip of dp across the center of the page, then smaller layered vertical strips of dp under the photo,  followed by lots of die cuts.  I added a glittered heart in the sentiment as well as glittered dots to the snowflake centers and 3 additional dots under the photo for a pop of sparkle.

I am entering this in the Wednesday Simon Says Stamp Challenge-Ice Inspiration.
 
Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-
Paper- Bazzill cs, various dp, Stampin ' Up Glitter paper in silver, vellum
Other- acrylic paint, gesso, Tattered Angels Burlap Glimmer Mist, Studio Calico Warm Calico Spray Ink, Memory Box die (branch), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Small and Large Snowflake Dies, Simon Says Stamp die (leaves), Stampin' Up Heart Framelit, Papertrey Ink (small circles which are part of their holly die), Heartfelt Creations Banner and Trees Dies (smallest snowflake), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Scalloped Border Die (large scallop edge), and Spellbinders Twisted Metal and Tags dies (swirl), dimensionals, felt ric rac trim

God is Bigger

Hello and Welcome to Day 4 of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

 January New Release Blog Hop!

Today we are featuring a great sentiment set, full of encouraging words, God is Bigger.  

I started with a flourish image from the new Leafy Flourish Background and More set; I stamped it 6 times in a circular fashion, using Pear Pizzazz ink.  I then stamped it 6 more times, moving further out to make a larger circle using Lucky Limeade ink to create a wreath.  The panel was then embossed with a polka dot ef and spritzed with a bit of Wisteria Wonder ink.  I used a small snowflake die and cut out a Lucky Limeade snowflake, which I used as a center for the wreath and base for a butterfly.

 

I stamped a Majestic Monarch and colored the image with Copics; I went back in to add detail with Prismacolor Pencils.  The butterfly was die cut out and adhered to the wreath with a dimensional.  I backed this panel with a doily and a dsp mat.  Lastly, I stamped the sentiment to a white background mat, adhered the image panel and added a black seam binding bow and a rhinestone to the butterfly.  

The details~

• Clear stamp set includes 24 sentiments
• Set measures approximately 4" x 6"
• Longest sentiment measures approximately 2/8" x 2.5"
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Stamp set - $15

 I used this sketch, although had to make some changes-

 Check out some of the fabulous samples made by our talented DT in the thumbnails below.  

Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because we're giving away (5) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 5 blog hops).

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, January 17th. The list of winners will be announced on our website homepage by Monday, January, 20th.

Thanks so much for joining us!

Enjoy the hop!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-

Stamps-Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps God is Bigger, Majestic Monarchs and Majestic Monarch Dies, Leafy Flourish Background and More

Paper- Flourishes White cs, Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade, SU retired dsp

Ink- Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Pear Pizzazz, Lucky Limeade

Other- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Small Snowflake Dies, SU Polka Dot embossing folder, SU Wisteria Wonder marker and Color Spritzer, Prismacolors, Copics V20, V22, V24, SU dimensional, rhinestone and paper doily, black seam binding 

Cute Valentine Critters!

Hello and Welcome to Day 3 of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

 January New Release Blog Hop!  

Today we are featuring the adorable Valentine Critters Set by Diane Zechman. 

You may be wondering where the Valentine card is; this teddy bear image from the Valentine Critters set is doing double duty as a baby card!  I thought that this teddy, with the bow and safety pin was perfect for welcoming a new little one.  The image is colored with Copics, using the pointillism technique on the teddy bear.  The background and small rectangular panel are images from the Leafy Flourish Background and More Set featured on Day 1 on the hop.

The details~

• Clear stamp set includes 6 images and 10 sentiments
• Set measures approximately 6" x 8"
• Bunny image measures approximately 2.25" x 2.5"
• Elephant image measures approximately 2.75" x 2.25"
• Illustrated & designed by Diane Zechman
• Stamp set - $26

Check out some of the fabulous samples made by our talented DT in the thumbnails below.  

Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because we're giving away (5) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 5 blog hops).

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, January 17th. The list of winners will be announced on our website homepage by Monday, January, 20th.

Thanks so much for joining us!

Enjoy the hop!

Lee Ann   :)

Supplies Used-

Stamps- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Valentine Critters, Leafy Flourish Background and More, and Little Boy Toys (sentiment) 

Paper-Flourishes White cs, Stampin' Up Brown Sugar and Ballet Blue cs

Ink- SU Ballet Blue, Memento Tuxedo Black, Brown Sugar

Other-various Stampin' Up buttons, Copics

Looking to the Future

Hello and Welcome to Day 2 of the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

 January Release Blog Hop!
Today we are featuring a wonderful sentiment set, The Future.  

I framed my sentiment with the Spellbinders' Gold Majesty Die Cuts.  I embellished with roses, pearls and a flourish.  There is a bit of cheese cloth peeking out behind the sentiment panel.

The details~

• Clear stamp set includes 10 sentiments
• Set measures approximately 4" x 6"
• Largest sentiment measures approximately 2" x 2"
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Stamp set - $15

Check out some of the fabulous samples made by our talented DT in the thumbnails below.  

Be sure to leave a comment on each of the blogs along your journey because we're giving away (5) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 5 blog hops).

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, January 17th. The list of winners will be announced on our website homepage by Monday, January, 20th.

Thanks so much for joining us!

Enjoy the hop!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-

Stamps-Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps The Future Set

Paper- Flourishes White cs, Stampin' Up Blush Blossom cs

Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black

Other- MFT rolled roses dies, Spellbinders Gold Majesty Dies, Joy! Craft Dies Floral Flourish, cheese cloth, gold glitter, dimensionals, pearls

Leafy Flourish Elegance

Hello and Welcome to the January Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps 

New Release Blog Hop Day 1!

Today we are featuring this stunning Leafy Flourish Background and More  Set~

Besides being a stunning background stamp, this image has no problem standing alone as the main image on a card.  I used my new Tsukineko Delicata Gold Ink on the image for a quick and elegant card.  I am entering this card in the Great Impressions January Challenge which is to use something new. 

The Details~

• Clear Stamp set includes 7 images
• Set measures approximately 6" x 8"
• Large Background image measures approximately 4.5" x 6"
• Designed by Korin Sutherland
• Stamp set - $26

Check out some of the fabulous samples made by our talented DT in the thumbnails below.  

Be sure to leave a comment of each of the blogs along your journey because we're giving away (5) $15 store credits (1 winner will be chosen from each of the 5 blog hops).

The deadline to comment for a chance to win is midnight EST Friday, January 17th. The list of winners will be announced on our website homepage by Monday, January, 20th.

Thanks so much for joining us!

Enjoy the hop!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-

Stamps-Leafy Flourish Background and More, Decorative Frames Set (sentiment)

Paper- Flourishes White CS, Stampin' Up Black cs

Ink-Tsukineko Delicata Gold Ink, Memento Tuxedo Black

Other-Stampin' Up Paper Piercer and template, Stampin' Up Vintage Brad, black seam binding

CAS Cardinals

Hello Everyone! 
We are on Snow Day Number 4; I am hopeful that tomorrow things go smoothly.  Today I decided to whip up a few simple Thank You cards for some of the students at school.  This is what I came up with~

Very quick and easy, I stamped the Serene Silhouette image in Stazon black on the cs.  Then I inked up the cardinals with a red marker, followed by the branches with a black marker, and stamped it on another piece of white cs.  I inked up the En Francais image but purposefully did not get full coverage on the stamp.  I stamped off once and then stamped image lightly over the solid black silhouette image.  The sentiment was inked up with Stazon and stamped. The red cardinal image was cut out with a Deco Label Die and popped up with dimensionals over the base image. 
I tend to be a very slow stamper; this is probably one of the fastest cards I have made and is very easy to duplicate.
Hope you are staying warm and have a blessed day!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-
Stamps- Serene Silhouettes, En Francais, One in a Million
Paper- Whisper White
Ink-Stazon Black, Smoky Slate
Other- Deco Label Framelits, Dimensionals, Real Red and Black markers

Valentine Sneak Peek

Hello Everyone!
We are on Snow Day #3 today. Needless to say, I have been doing a lot of extra crafting.  No point in letting that extra time go to waste!
Today I have a peek at a darling set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps that is being released tomorrow.

 

I love this balloon carrying elephant and thought he would work well for a masculine valentine card, hence the reason for no bling on this.  The image is colored with Copics; the singular heart is fussy cut out, molded with a an embossing tool for a 3-D effect, and popped up on a dimensional.
Tonight is the Release Party on Splitcoaststampers, here.  Come have fun chatting and getting a look at the newest sets that will be available tomorrow!  Starting Saturday we will be blog hopping to see all of the gorgeous creations from the Design Team and for a chance to win one of the new releases. 

Thanks so much or stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies used-
Stamps- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Valentine Critters
Paper- Flourishes White cs, dp from Echo Park
Ink- Memento Tuxedo Black
Other- Doodlebug twine, MFT Circle Stax Die-Namics, dimensionals, Copics R20, R22, R24, R29, W00, W1, W6, sewing machine

The Card Concept

Hello Friends!  It is finally here- the first challenge at The Card Concept!
If you have not heard of this challenge, let me share a bit about it.  There are 12 designers, representing 6 different crafting styles-Clean and Simple, Clean and Graphic, Clean and Layered, Free Style Collage, Classy/Elegant, and Shabby and Vintage.  I am representing the Classy/Elegant Style.

You can participate in the challenge, choosing one of the 6 styles represented to design your card in.  This is a wonderful way to explore styles and learn just what it is that makes a style work.
Flourishes are one of those elements that speaks 'elegant'.  This stamp image is full of flourishes!  Layers are another common element of the elegant style, and I personally love fussy cutting and use this often.
This is how I created layers.  I lightly stamped the Off the Grid stamp in Crumb Cake on Very Vanilla cs.  I sponged a bit of pink ink over the grid image.Next, I stamped the Baroque image in Early Espresso, directly on the vanilla cs.  I stamped it a second time on vanilla cs and fussy cut a large portion of the image out,  This was adhered directly over the initial image.  I stamped the image a third time on Crumb Cake cs in Versamark ink and heat embossed the center area with Early Espresso embossing powder.  The central image is fussy cut out and adhered to the second image, using dimensionals.
The final layer is from adding the butterfly.  The reason I chose to do the baroque flourish image in brown was to have a lot of contrast with the pink butterfly, so that the butterfly popped.
The background panel (Crumb Cake cs) has texture from dry embossing.  Scalloped edges, pearl bling, die cut leaves and a seam binding bow finish off the card. 
Please hop on over to the challenge blog and check out the other gorgeous creations from the Design Team.  Pick your style and create! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!
Have a blessed week,

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used (all Stampin' Up)
Stamps- Off the Grid, Beautifully Baroque, Papillon Potpourri
Paper- Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and retired dsp
Ink- Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Blushing Bride, Versamark
Other- Apothecary Framelits, Large Scalloped Edgelit, Butterfly punch, pearls, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Tiny Tag Punch, Very Vanilla Seam Binding, Dazzling Details, Copic markers (not SU)

Watercoloring

Hello! 
Well, we have another snow day today, so I took the opportunity to play.  I decided to pull out a set I have not used before and try a little watercoloring with reinkers.

I water colored the image with Lucky Limeade, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Pool Party and Island Indigo inks.  I cut the image out in an oval and backed it with a Deco Label Die Cut that I had sitting on the desk.  It had been stamped in Pool Party with the Canvas Background stamp.  To the background mat, I stamped the grass image and sentiment, Added a banner some leaves and the image panel. 
I used this week's Seize the Sketch  sketch-

I am also entering this card in-
 the Shopping our Stash challenge- Use Something New (green twine and stamp set)
the Great Impressions Challenge, which is also Use Something New
And the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge which is Something New

Thanks so much for stopping by and stay warm!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used ( all Stampin' Up unless specified)
Stamps-Simply Sketched, Wetlands, Inspired By, Canvas Background stamp
Paper- Whisper White, Pool Party, Old Olive, Lucky Limeade, watercolor paper, retired dsp
Ink- Stazon black, Old Olive, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Crumb Cake and Soft Suede
Other- Linen Thread, Edgelit, :Little Leaves die, square punch, Oval Framelits, Decolabel Framelits, dimensionals, wood grain embossing folder

A New Day

Hello!  I hope everyone is staying warm; we are snowed in with the biggest snowstorm in 20+ years.  That translates to 2 snow days and lots of crafting time! 
The Curtain Call has a great inspiration photo this week and a challenge to craft about what we are "Smitten" with this time of year.  Well, with sub zero temperatures currently, I am smitten with thoughts of spring! 
I love the bright colors of the inspiration photo; I have always loved gray with orange and yellow.    You are getting a sneak peek of a couple of new items being released this Friday from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  The Majestic Monarchs set now has coordinating dies!  And one can never have too many encouraging sentiments; Friday's release includes some wonderful encouraging words like the ones below. 

Here is the great inspiration photo~

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed week!

Lee Ann  :)

Supplies Used-

Stamps- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps God is Bigger, Magnificent Monarchs and Decorative Frames Sets

Paper- Flourishes White cs, SU Basic Gray and Pixie Pink, SU Designer Series Paper (yellow), Basic Gray (orange and pink pattern dp), Authentique dp (grey text)

Ink- Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Basic Gray

Other- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Monarch Dies, Decorative Plaque Dies and Scalloped Border Dies, Fireworks Spray Ink (yellow), Heidi Swapp Color Shine in Peach, Prima flower, bling, dimensionals

Season's Givings Winner!

Happy Monday, Everyone!  

We have a winner for the Season's Givings Giveaway!  I had planned on posting later today, after work, but since we are snowed in, I am able to do it earlier. 

The winner is-
Entry Number 88, Theresa G.
Theresa said- It's hard to say what my crafting style is because it changes frequently. But I guess I would say I lean more towards CAS. Happy New Year to you and your family.

Thanks to everyone for participating in the blog hop and visiting; if you are a new follower, thank you so much!  I hope that I can in some way inspire you.  Thank you for all of your kind comments.
Happy New Year, everyone!

And the Heartfelt Winner is..

Hello Everyone!
 If you are looking for the Season's Givings Blog Hop, click here. 
Just a quick post to announce the winner of the December Heartfelt Creations Alumni Blog Hop.  The hop was great, with many participants and beautiful works of art on every blog.  Thanks to all of you who visited and left your much appreciated comments. The winning comment came from Giovana's blog.  

The December winner is-Chris Hunley

 

Congrats Chris!  You can e-mail Emma Lou at EmmaLou@heartfeltcreations.us , with "Winner of the December Alumni Hop" in the subject line to  claim your prize of a $25 gift certificate for Heartfelt Creations.